A person skilled at presenting entertainment or spectacles to the public, especially one who is flamboyant or theatrical in their approach.
From Middle English 'show' (to display) + 'man'. The term evolved in the 18th-19th centuries alongside the rise of traveling circuses and vaudeville, emphasizing the theatrical and promotional aspects of entertainment.
The word 'showman' captures the essence of American entertainment culture, from P.T. Barnum's circus spectacles to modern-day reality TV producers. Interestingly, the term has maintained its masculine form even as the entertainment industry has evolved, though 'showperson' is sometimes used today.
The term 'showman' historically referred exclusively to male performers and promoters in entertainment and spectacle. Women were systematically excluded from these roles or rendered invisible in the terminology.
Use 'showperson', 'performer', or 'entertainer' for inclusive reference; 'showman' remains acceptable when describing historical male-specific contexts.
["showperson","performer","entertainer","promoter"]
Women have been central to entertainment history but erased by gendered terminology—figures like Gertrude Hoffman (vaudeville choreographer) and Annie Oakley (sharp shooter) were 'showpeople' whose contributions language obscured.
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